Report of a pilot study of intra-arterial injection of I-131 lipiodol for the treatment of hepatoma
Lui, W.Y.; Liu, R.S.; Chiang, J.H.; Lo, J.G.; Lai, K.H.; King, K.L.; Cheng, H.C.; Wei, Y.Y.; Chi, C.W.; P'eng, F.K.
Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi 46(3): 125-133
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0578-1337 PMID: 2178041 Document Number: 367447
This pilot study in 10 hepatoma patients investigated the feasibility of using selective targeting of radioisotope (I-131) lipiodol in the treatment of hepatoma patients. Lipiodol is a contrast medium that selectively goes to hepatoma and remains there for a long period as compared with that in normal liver and other tissues. Lipiodol was labelled with I-131 and infused into the hepatoma via the hepatic artery. Selective targeting of I-131 to hepatoma was demonstrated with a radiation dose ratio (hepatoma to normal liver) of up to 25 to 1. The biodistribution data of I-131-lipiodol in this study also confirmed the selective targeting of the radioisotope (I-131) to the hepatoma. Tumor radiation dose up to 26,000 rads can be delivered by this method. The treatment results were encouraging. About 70% of hepatoma patients had response to the treatment with reduction of alpha-fetoprotein and decrease of hepatoma sizes. The overall median survival was 9 months (range 2-17 months). This treatment was simple, safe, effective, non-expensive and well tolerated by all patients without major side effects. The optimal dose, schedule, duration of this treatment are still under investigation.